Sunday, July 02, 2006

Moss on The Boss

Randy Moss is psyched about Art Shell. In an interview that aired on Sirius NFL Radio, Moss acknowledged that some of his teammates complained early on about Coach Shell’s “old school” approach (including keeping them in meetings too long!), but Moss said he welcomed the new emphasis on discipline, and that he’s totally on board with Coach Shell’s work ethic. He chose his words carefully when asked about last year, but admitted that the team was unfocused and even in disarray at times under Norv Turner. He sounded upbeat about Aaron Brooks; he had some kind words for Kerry Collins, but noted that Brooks's mobility will make a distinct difference. He called Daunte Culpepper a close friend, yet didn’t sound too disappointed that Culpepper didn’t come to Oakland. Go figure. I wish I could have saved and transcribed the interview, but I am doing my best here to represent what I heard.

Thanks, Tim and Jerry, we appreciate the constructive input. Thanks for respecting Art Shell right out of the gates. Thanks for helping us move forward selflessly, with optimism and humility, toward a common goal. Thanks for reminding us that Randy Moss is, ironically enough considering his alleged baggage, Oakland's model citizen at wide receiver.

20 Comments:

UBM said...

Really nice to hear good words out of Randy Moss. Too bad Jerry Porterisnt capable of the same Respect given Art Shell. My hope is He cleans up his sorry act or is sent packing. As for Tim Brown, his back biting is why he will never be MR Raider. Besides Everyone already knows, that title is held by Jim 0tt0!

why is Tim brown so angry? he really comes across as a very selfish individual and actually the same goes for Porter( what has he done). There always seems to be those who want to bring the rest of us down. Alittle advise to Brown, your irrelavnt now,shut the f*** up and Porter be grateful for your opportunities in life and be a pro or go away,we don't need you...really.Nice to hear randy is onboard.

Randy's the man.. I used to love JP a couple season's back but the kid needs to shut his mouth and play, period. Wish we could trade him for an RB.

As for Brown, yeah, you wish he could be a little more constructive, but he's Tim Brown, the guys a Raider for life, and he actually did play for Shell and Walsh, so maybe he knows what he's talking about. Rather hear it from him than freaking shannon sharpe or something.

I'm happy Moss is happy, but I'm not suprised Tim Brown said what he said. My guess is that Brown is closer to J.P than he is with most other current Raiders (there's been a lot of turnover since Brown left), and whatever Brown is hearing he's getting from Porter. Brown was around for the fights between Hostetler, Shell, and Walsh in the '90s, and may have taken away from Porter's comments that the Raiders are in for a repeat of those ugly scenes.

Still, Brown's parting words in the article seem to be aimed more at Porter than the coaching staff: "If they (the Raiders) don't like the play calling or the system, they still have to get it done. They can't complain. That's their guy."

That's an idea Porter will have to get comfortable with, because I doubt Davis will side with him over Shell if it comes to conflict. The Raiders are loaded at wide receiver, and the continued development of Gabriel and Curry could make things very hot very quickly for Porter if he decides to be a jerk.

I'm excited to hear Moss being excited about the coach. I think for us to reach greatness the leaders like Moss & Jordan on offense and Clark and Burgess on defense have to show approval and support of our coach.

I hope Moss starts to take over the team like Gannon did. To hold everyone accountable and lead by example.

although what he said is true, that they still need to play for the guy they hired, i for one am disappointed that timmy keeps shooting off his mouth. being a christian and a dedicated family man as he claims to be, you'd think he would just be a humble guy without a single complaint. being a life long raider is something to truly be proud of. but he continues to burn his bridges. being a christian myself, i wish i could write the guy a letter and tell him to just keep his trap quiet. jerry pouter is not exactly a model citizen to be basing his comments from. pouter is the final cancer that needs to be removed. too bad we're stuck with him.

re: the defense. i always say that d wins championships. i wanted hawk in the draft. something else came up wherein another stud player was available but we passed. OK, OK. i see what's going on. we are building not only a D, but an extremely fast one. here's hoping the new kids can play. not only play, but play hard. not only play hard, but play hard and play smart.

Tim Brown is irrelevant and needs to shut the f**k up? The #1 all-time receiver in Raiders history, #3 all-time in several categories in NFL history is irrelevant?

What about all the people who also criticized the hiring of Tom Walsh? Are they also back-biting and irrelevant? Did 'anonymous' post any comments calling for the Raiders to bring Tom Walsh out of retirement?

As a player and now in retirement, Tim Brown has always called like he has seen it. Agree with him or not, he's honest. Being Mr Raider doesn't require toeing the company line or pledging eternal allegiance to Al Davis. It requires busting your ass for 16 seasons, giving everything for your team.

99 receiving touchdowns as a Raider, and #100 in the Black Hole. I think the man has earned the right to criticize the team without having fans question his "Raider-ness."

I agree with Tokai here. Yes, I no likey what the Tim man had to yap about. But his comments are not focused on the future of the Raiders. His comments are what he experienced from 2003-retirement with the Raiders under the 2nd year of Callahan-Turner. His comments were right about that era, there was no focus or respect from the team to the coaches. He had no respect for any of the coaches. He was more outspoken about Callahan than WTFChuck was!But he has no vision, and now that he is in the media booth, he will speak from his experience, and not the hindsight because that is what they are paying him to do.

Moss's attitude has been outstanding since coming to Oakland. I think people in Minnesota must have really blown every thing he did out of proportion. He is a class act, even when he moons Cheeseheads.

I don't like criticizing Tim Brown, for the reasons Tokai Japan Outpost cited. Tim has earned my respect as a player. At the same time, I see no reason for his declarative statement that there are "major leadership issues" in Oakland, even in his supposed new role as an "objective" commentator, and especially when Jerry Porter is his main source.

If there is a leadership issue, it's probably because there is actual leadership being exerted, which would be a shock to anyone's system in the wake of Norv Turner. But Randy Moss didn't say anything about "major leadership issues," and in fact suggested that the major leadership issues of the past three seasons are being quickly repaired by Coach Shell.

Therefore, we've got Randy Moss and Tim Brown contradicting one another. Who to believe? I'm choosing to believe the one who is setting a tone of teamwork and optimism, the one who is actually in the team meetings, the one who knows that, after 12 losses last year, he needs to embrace, not fear, change.

I never believed all of the hype against Moss. He is a class act and I can't wait to see him catch at least 10 TD's this year.

But lets stop the Tim Brown hating! #81 was the best and most consistent Raider since I have been watching football. He was always classy and always gave 110%. If anyone has earned the right to criticize the Raiders it is him. I still can't believe we kept a spot on the team for that 9er JR, while allowing Tim to go to the Bucs.

Roy, I want to make sure that I'm not cast as a Tim Brown hater. I just don't like what he said in this instance, because I think it lacks proper timing and perspective, and is thus hurtful to the cause.

Why pile on at this point, months after Shell and Walsh have been hired yet months before they've had a chance to really show their stuff? Why pull the plug on this team already and say that they won't contend in the AFC West?

I think that a little dimplomacy is in order, both from current and former Raiders players. The media are already stoking a bonfire of negativity about the 2006 Oakland Raiders, and I don't like to hear our own guys adding kindling to it.

Raider Take, The comment was not cast at you but rather at some of the harsh comments he is receiving. More specifically that he is irrelevent. Tim is a Raider for life and unlike the Raider hating media I respect his opinion. Professional sports is like politics, you have to be thicked skinned. If Shell cannot take the heat he is in the wrong business (for the record I believe he can take the heat). I still question the hiring of Walsh and can only hope the time away from the NFL has improved his offense.

Are you going to write anything about the raiders newest acquisitions? I'm speaking of Donnell Washington, and I think Grady Jackson was picked up too. Grady's coming off his best season, and Washington seems to be an underachiever with loads of potential. What do you think?

Kevin, I heard a report on Sirius NFL Radio that the Raiders' interest in Grady Jackson may not be as deep as was initially reported, but I'd take him.

To be honest, I don't know a lot about Washington (who does--he's hardly logged any playing time in the NFL), but I support any effort to strengthen the D-line. With a lot of raw developing talent at LB and in the secondary, we really need to pressure the QB and stuff the run to minimize big-play potential (ie: Larry Johnson running wild and free at the end of the game in Kansas City last year)

I'm glad to hear Moss saying positive things about coach Shell, but as Shell himself reminded us upon being hired, real leaders don't only talk, they back it up with actions. That's why I was a bit concerned that only Moss, & Porter skipped a volentary june workout recently.Talk is nice, but cheap. That's why I'll be watching what Moss, & Porter do on the field this season.

guys,i CANNOT believe this. now, this might be old news already to some, but here i was in downtown oakland. i had just gotten out of class and was waiting for the wife to get off work so i decided to kill some time by reading up on the football predictions in some of the rags in longs drug store.

i pick up the sporting news and these people are naturally picking the raiders to finish DEAD LAST in their division with a 4-12 record.

that's not the strange news because everyone always picks the raiders last. but get this! the chargers, with an unproven (basically a rookie) qb are predicted to finish 3rd (don't remember what record). freakin' 3RD! the chiefs with that sorry defense 2nd at 11-5, and the broncos 1st.

Scorpio, I hear you! In an earlier take, I cited three separate preview publications or articles picking the Chargers to win between 9 and 11 games, despite handing the reins to a first-year starter at QB, while picking the Raiders to finish last in the division. If you really want to make your blood boil, pick up the Street & Smith NFL preview guide and read what they have to say about the Raiders. It's gratuitous in its negativity.

The good news: all of this will make the Return to Glory that much more satisfying!

I have to say, I'm no Tim Brown hater either. But just as Tim has a right to call 'em like he sees 'em, so do I. He has had a serious case of sour grapes ever since he left the Raiders. Are there legitimate criticicms of Tom Walsh? Sure. Is an unhappy Jerry Porter a major issue for the Raiders? No! Jerry Porter has been a #2 receiver and role player, we're not talking about Marcus Allen here. If he wants to pout while Moss embraces the new regime, that's Jerry's problem.

Finally let me remind everyone of Tim's catty comments about John Madden back in January, which were inaccurate at best and uncalled for at worst. He can say what he wants but every time he opens his mouth lately it diminishes my view of him as a "classy Raider"...

The input those two give these days is about as constructive as what comes out of the mouth of your average cartoon character.

I understand your not wanting to bash Tim Brown because of his accomplishments on the field.

But off the field, between Timmah's self-promoting NASCAR retirement press conference and him bashing John Madden on the eve of his HOF enshrinement, the self-given moniker "Mr. Raider" never applied less than it does to Timmah right now.

At least Jerry Porter never pretended to be loyal. We know where he stands. Jerry stands for the Nation of Porter.